Ian Williams’ Kapstadt can build on second place finish last time out after a drop in class.

The Backup Plan weighted to register repeat success

In the 2m 3f handicap chase (15.40), The Backup Plan can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land back-to-back successes in the contest.

Donald McCain’s seven-year-old won twice over course and distance last year with the last of those successes coming in this contest where he made all and found extra when challenged close home to score by 2 1/2 lengths off a mark of 104.

The Backup Plan went on to finish a highly creditable second at Musselburgh off 108 and is now able to race of a reduced rating of just 100.

It gives the gelding major claims at the weights and the fitting of the blinkers for the first time looks a big plus.

McCain has a good strike rate with horses sporting the headgear for the first time, and if the blinkers have the desired effect this looks a nice opportunity fo The Backup Plan to get back on the scoresheet.

Love The Leader to show Southwell rivals the way home

The Johnny Farrelly trained eight-year-old was in terrific form last autumn when landing a four-timer and has posted some solid efforts this season without getting his head in front.

They include a staying on second to Benenden over course and distance of his current rating of 112 back in June, and Love The Leader hinted that his time was near when fourth of 10 to Winter Walk at Newton Abbot 11 days ago.

After being held-up in rear, the gelding got badly hampered on the bend three form home when trying to make a move before keeping on strongly to be nearest at the finish and beaten just 5 1/2 lengths.

Granted better luck in-running Love The Leader would have gone very close and off an unchanged mark this looks a nice opportunity for him to gain compensation and return to winning ways.

Love the leader is a tasty price to win at Southwell on Septemeber 27.

Scorpion has a Super Chance

Super Scorpion has shaped with plenty of promise in three starts over fences and looks to holding leading claims of opening his account over the larger obstacles in the 2m 4f handicap chase (14.55).

The gelding was a point winner in Ireland who has quickly made up into a better chaser than a hurdler since joining trainer Debra Hamer.

Super Scorpion ran a cracker on his penultimate outing at Ffos Las when a 1/2 length runner-up to Relentless Dreamer and then shaped better than the bare result suggests last time out when fourth at Stratford.

The six-year-old raced far too freely in the latter when sporting the cheekpieces for the first time, but after getting headed three from home stuck to the task well to be beaten 6 1/2 lengths.

Not surprisingly connections have now ditched the cheekpieces and Super Scorpion has since been dropped 1lb to a rating of 114.

That looks exploitable given that he remains lightly-raced and unexposed over fences and was rated 6lb higher over hurdles.